The Master of Social Science in Social Work (MSSc) Programme is a professional training programme leading to a professional qualification in social work. Upon graduation, students are eligible to become a Registered Social Worker (RSW) in Hong Kong.

The Programme is designed for students with a bachelor degree not majoring in social work, and is suitable for those who wish to develop a career in social work through postgraduate training. Course work of the Programme aims to provide students with solid conceptual framework and theoretical foundation for social work practice. Apart from developing social work knowledge and skills, the Programme also aims at helping students cultivate a positive identification with social work values and additional to the academic content, all students are required to undertake a period of supervised practice in two different social service organizations during the training. We consider the high quality coursework and placement training to be the most valuable components of this professional programme.

Meanwhile, our Department endeavours to encourage cultural sensitivity among students through international experiences and cultural learning. Suitable students will be selected for international exposure in non-local field placements (such as placement at Canada, Singapore, China and Taiwan, etc.). It is our mission to develop dynamic and visionary social work practitioners and leaders who can use effective clinical, community and policy methods to promote social well-beings.

Introduction

The Master of Social Science (MSSc) in Social Work Programme is a professional programme recognized by the Hong Kong Social Workers Registration Board. Students of this Programme are eligible to become Registered Social Workers (RSW) in Hong Kong upon graduation. Students who hold a first degree in any discipline and wish to pursue a professional career in the social services field can apply to the Programme.

Programme Characteristics - Field Instruction

The MSSc Programme in Social Work includes 900 hours of field instruction in which 100 hours are pre-placement preparation training and 800 hours are supervised practice, in compliance with the requirement for students to be recognized as “Registered Social Worker” upon graduation. The major objective of field instruction is to provide students with an opportunity to apply social work theories in practice in a real agency setting. Students are also expected to learn different uses of community resources, and familiarize themselves with agency administration through the practicum.

Each student will be placed in two different service settings of different social welfare service agencies in fulfilling the requirement for supervised practice. Placements in China and other countries (such as Canada) can be offered, if appropriate, in order to help students develop an international perspective and wider vision.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Programme, students are expected to demonstrate:

1. an understanding of the foundation knowledge, humanistic values and ethics of social work and social policy as well as management knowledge that will allow the students to solve personal and social problems;

2. the ability to integrate theories with practice in working with individuals, groups, families, communities and institutions; and

3. the use of scientific research methods in addressing critical social issues.